In the Late Roman world, where Christianity was
the dominant force, there were still holdovers
from an earlier pagan time. This bone doll seems
to be one of the last remnants of an ancient cult
that stretches back to the Astarte of the
Babylonians, the Isis of the Egyptians, and the
Venus of the Romans. This most essential of
goddesses would soon be supplanted by the
Christian Madonna, though here she retains her
pagan dignity. She is a poignant reminder of a
world in transition, a culture balance between
the ancient and medieval eras. - (PF.2276)